Safety device for conveyer systems



Nov. 17, 1925.

F. B. PEEBLES SAFETY DEVICE FOR CONVEYER SYSTEMS Filed April 19. 1923 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 F. B. PEEBLES SAFETY DEVICE FOR CONVEYER SYSTEMS Nov. 17, 1925 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed April 19, 1923 Even/02.

Patented Nov. 17, 1925.

till ilTiiu-lli fiiTATES 1,562,4ilt

FRANK B. PEBBLE? 013 SYRACUSE, T EVJ YUEK, EGNOR TO THE LAMSON COMPANY,

SAFETY DEVECE FDR SYBAG'USE, NET/V YORK, A GOREGRATIUN OI? BEASSACHUSETTS.

con'vnYnn stress-nits.

Application filed Apr-i119, 1923 Serial No. 633,132;

T0 (at ii mm. 2'2; cl

Be it known that ii,- Fnlmn B. a

citizen oi the linited States of Am a, and resident of Syracuse, in thecounty or Orion agar and State of New York, have in i new and useful improvements in Sat Devices for Conveyor Systems, of which the following is a specification.

This invention pertains to overhead conveyor systems 01 the kind employed in packing establishments, Warehouses and the like ror transportin heavy articles of merchanlise from point to point, and relates more partici. larly to tety devices for use in such a s'ste n.

in such systems it cmnmon to provide sidings onto which wheeled carriers ortroll-eys may be diverted from the main track o .oading, unloading, or inspection of the article or articl carried by them. l rom the sidings,-thc carriers are transferred back to the main track over a normally closer switch point, which, however, is opened or sv. ring away from the main track by carriers passing along the latter; If, at the instant the switch point open, a carrier moves from the siding onto the switch point, it may run ofif the end of the latter with disastrous results, either the suspended merchandise or to workmen stationec below.

A principal object of the present invei'ition is accordingly to provide an automatic appliance for use in such co eyer operative to prevent accicental csapc of a carrier from. an open switch point leading to the main track.

in the accompanying drawings, a preferred form of the invention. is illustrated by way of (bill niple and in such drawings,

1 a. fragmentary plan view, to small scale,v illustrating a typical conveyer system to which the present invention is applicable Fig. 2 is a fragmentary plan view, to lai er scale illustrating a portion of such a conveye'r system having the present invention applied thereto;

3 is a. fragmentary plan view, to a scale larger than that of Fig. 2, showing an embodiment of the present invention in detail;

Fig. 4 is a side elevation of the parts shown in Fig. 2-5; and

Fig. 5 is a fragmentary elevation at right angles to Fig. i, showing further'details;

Referring to Fig. l, the numeral 1 indi cates the end of a continuous conveyor which n'nty extend along a railroad track or a dock, indicated generally by the numeral 2. Branch tracks, of which one is indicated in this view, extend laterally from the main track 1. These branch tracks are preferably contiiuious and may comprise the substantially parallel runs 3, 4 respectively which are connected with the main track by the curved track sections 5, 6. The runs 3 and 1 of the branch track may, if desired, extend along andclosely parallel to railroad spurs 7 and 8 respectively upon which freight cars C may be placed for loading 7 and unloading. The runs 3 and t of the branch track are furnished with sidings 9.

l "re'ferably the main track 1, as well as and 43: of the branch track, are

the runs 0 furnished with continuously moving elements such as endless chains, for propelling the rticle supporting carriers along the tracks, but the sidings 9 needs not be furnished with propelling means, so that carriers which are switched onto the sidings' may come to rest in a position permitting the convenient loading and unloading or inspection 01 t ie article or articles supported by the carriers.

The several tracks, constituting an overhead convey-er system, are conveniently supported from a frame innicaied generally by the numeral 10, such frame bi mg constructed in any desired manner and supported upon posts or other structural elements of the building in which it may he il1-- stalled.

Referring to Fig. 2, the run atof the branch track is provided with a moi'able switch point 11 having actuating mechanism of any desired form indicated generally at 12. This switch point may be set so as to divert carriers passing along the run l onto the siding 9 or to permit such carriers to continue along the run d as may be desired.

The other end of the siding 9 converges toward the run 4: as indicated at 13. A movable switch point 14: is pivotally secured. at 15 to the end of the portion 18 of the siding. Normally this switcl'ipoin-t held in the position shown in 2 by means of a spring 16 which resiliently holds the extremity 17 of the switch point substantially in contact with the rail 4;.

lVhen a carrier such as 18, moving along the rail 4, approaches the junction of this rail with the switch point 17, it comes into contact with the end of the switch point and moves the latter away from the main rail to a distance suflicient to permit the passage of the carrier, but the switch point springs back immediately after the passing of the carrier and resumes its normal position.

In Fig. 3, a carrier 19 is shown as resting upon the switch point 1.4-, and in this ure the switch point is shown in dotted lines as having been moved away from the rail -lby the carrier 18 which is moving along the latter. If, under such circumstances, the carrier 19 should continue along the switch point it would drop freely from the end of the latter. In accordance with the present invention the following mechanism is provided for preventing such accidental dropping of the carrier from the switch point.

The frame member 20 which may constitute a part of the supporting frame work 10 is here illustrated as a channel. iron having its flanges extending horizontally. An angle iron comprising flanges 21 and 2 a is secured to the web of the channel iron and a flat bar 22. is secured to its outstanding flange 21*. This bar is bent outwardly and then downwardly at 23, thus providing the offset portion 24 which extends parallel with the outstanding flange of the angle iron. A pin 25 passing through openings in the member 24 and in the flange 21 of the angle iron provides a bearing for a depending stop supporting member 26. This member is preferably formed from a Hat bar which is twisted at 27 to provide a portion 28 lying in a plane at right angles to the frame or pivotal portion of the support.

The lower end of member 28 is bent at right angles to provide the part 29 which lies substantially in a horizontal plane. This part is provided with two or more openings for the reception of bolts 30 which pass through an elongate slot 31 in the extension member 32. This extension member comprises the stop 33 having an end face 36 which is normally spaced from the switch point le a su'fiicicnt distance to permit the free passage of a carrier along such switch point. The stop 33 is recessed at to provide carrier engaging abutment shoulder A flat bar 37 is secured to the flange 20 of the angle bar and this bar is bent out wardly and then downwardly at 38 to pro-- vide the depending portion 39 extending parallel with the lower part 28 of the. supgort it its lower end the member 39 is bent at right angles to provide a stop l normally spaced a slight distance from the member 28.

A flat bar ll is secured to the opposite side of the flange 20 and after being bent cupies its normal position, such a carrier merely runs out onto the main track at where it is picked up by the propelling devices and moved outwardly and onto track 1, if desired. If, however, as indicated in dotted lines in Fig. 3, the switch point should be pushed aside by a carrier 18 moving along the main track at the instant that a carrier 19 moves onto the switch point, the abnormal outward position of the latter swings it so near to the stop device that the carrier engages shoulder which prevents itsfurther progress.

As the carrier 18 continues along the main track, it pushes the switch point further and further aside, thus causing the support 26 to swing about its axis until the member 28 engages the stop 10 when it comes to rest holding the carrier 19 against further movement along the switch point.

hen the carrier 18 on the main track has entirely passed the switch point, the spring 16 draws the latter back to normal position. If the stop device were stationary, such movement of the switch point might possibly release the carrier 19 from the stop device and the carrier might run off the end of the switch point before the latter had fully closed against the main track. lVith the present arrangement, however, as soon as the switch point begins to move the frictional engagement of the carrier with the stop shoulder tends to draw the stop member outwardly with the switch point and this movement continues until the member 28 strikes the stop 44. By this time the switch point has nearly closed so that release of the carrier 19 is permissible. The carrier thereupon continues along the switch point, being disengaged from the shoulder 85, and the stop device swings back to its normal position.

\Vhile the arrangement disclosed is par ticularly adapted for use with overhead conveyer systems employing wheeled carriers, it is clear that in its broadest appiieation it is capable of embodiment in other types of rail systems comprising main and branch tracks with movable switch points for conthe pa sage of bodies moving along Moreover, while above stated, it is preferable to mount the stop element in such a manner as to permit it to move to a limited extent, such movement found not to be nee ary under certain con ditions of use and may the be dispensed with.

I claim 1. In combination with a pivoted switch point normally operative to direct moving bodies from one track of a conveyor system to another, a movable stop member co-operative with the switch point to prevent move ment of bodies along the switch point when the. latter occupies one position, and to permitsuch bodies freely to pass along the switch point when the latter occupies another position, the position of the stop member being unalifected normally by movement of the switch point.

2. A conveyor system comprising a pair of tracks, a pivoted switch point torming a continuation of one track and converging toward the other trapl'z, resilient means normally holding the tree entrain] y ot the switch point in contract with the last named track but permitting said switch point to move away from said lastnanied track when engaged by a carrier moving along the latter t-ra l1, and a member normally fixed as respects movements ot the switch point and having a stop shoulder so positioned as normally to permit carriers to move freely along the switch point but to engage and stop carriers so moving when the tree extremity of the switch point is swung away from normal position.

3. A conveyor system comprising a main track and a ,converging side track along which carriers- .move toward the main track, a movable switch point at the intersection of said tracks, means normally operative to hold. the switch point substantially in engagement with the main track but pern'iitting it to move away from the main track by engagement with a carrier to permit the carrier moving along the latter track to pass freely, and means to prevent accidental escape "from. the switch point of a carrier approaching along the branch track when the switch point is moved away from the main track, said means normally being unailt-cted by aovement ot the switch point.

l. A conveyor system con'lprising a main track, a branch track, a switch point constituting an extension of the latter track and movable toward and from the main track, resilient means normally tending to move the switch point toward the main track but permitting it to move away from the main track to permit a. carrier to pass along the latter, and an automatically acting stop device to prevent a carrier from escaping from the switch point when the latter is moved away from the main track, said stop device being independent of and unconnected to the switch point.

5. A conveyor system comprising a main track, a branch track, and a switch point pivotally connected to the latter and converging toward the main track, means normally holding the free extremity of the switch point in substantial COllllltb with the main track but permitting it to swing away from the main track under the action of a carrier the *ing along the latter, and a stop member ineffective to stop carriers moving along the switch point when the latter is in normal position, but operative to prevent carriers from so moving when the switch point been moved away from the main track, the position of the stop member being unchanged by movement of the switch point except when a carrier restsupon the latter.

6. A conveyor system comprising con verging tracks, a switch point pivotally secured to the end oi. one track and having its tree extren'iity normally in contact with the other track to deliver the cz'irriers on to the latter, and. a movable stop member normally positioned to permit carriers to move freely along the switch point but to stop car. 15ers so moving when the free extremity oi. the switch point is not in normal position, said stop member normally remaining in the same position regardless oi the position of the switch point.

7. A conveyor system comprising a pivoted switch point, means normally holding it in one position but permitting it to move from said position, a movable member having an abutment element adapted to stop irriers moving along the switch point when the latter is in abormal position, said abutment element normally remaining in the same position regardless oi the position of the switch point, and stop elements for limiting movement ot the movable member.

8. A conveyor system having a pivoted switch point and a stop cooper-table therewith to prevent carriers moving along the the switch point from dropping; theretorm, said stop being carried by a freely swinging support.

9. A conveyor system having a pivoted switch point movable in a substantially horizontal plane, a support swinging about a substantially horizontal axis, and an arm carried by the support, said arm having relatively adjustable parts, one of said parts l'iaving an alnitment shoulder disposed adjacent to the switch point.

10. A conveyor system having a pivoted switch point, means normally holding the switch. point in a. predetermined position but permitting it to move therefrom, and movable stop means disposed adjacent to lib") the switch point for arresting a carrier moving along the switch point when the latter is out of normal position, the position of the stop means being unchanged. by movement of the switch point except when a carrier rests upon the latter, said stop being constructed to release such carrier only after the switch point has resumed its normal position.

11. A. conveyer system having a main track, a branch track, along which carriers approach the main track, a switch point pivotally connected to the end of the branch track and having its free extren'iity normally in engagement with the main track, and a stop member having an abutment element so disposed as to arrest a carrier moving along the switch point when the latter is out of normal position, said stop member being independent of and normally unconnected to the switch point, said. abutment element being adapted to retain such arrested carrier until the switch point is fully restored to normal position.

12. A conveyer system comprising a pivotally supported switch point, a spring normally holding said point with its free extremity in predetermined position, and a movable stop member having an abutment element so disposed as to arrest a carrier moving along the switch point when the latter is out of normal position and to follow the switch point as the latter returns toward normal position to avoid premature release of the arrested carrier, the position of the stop member being unchanged by movement of the switch point except when a carrier rests on the latter.

13. A conveyer system comprising a movable switch point, spring means normally holding the switch point in predetermined position, a freely suspended member having an abutment element normally positioned to arrest a carrier moving along the switch point when the latter is out or normal position, and to follow the switch point as the latter moves back toward normal position, and a stop to limit movement of the abutment element whereby to release the arrested carrier substantially at the instant that the switch point resumes. its normal position.

14;. A conveyer system comprising a movable switch point and spring means normally holding it in predetermined position, a freely suspended supporting member carrying an arm provided with an abutment element normally so disposed as to arrest a carrier moving along the switch point when the latter is out of normal position, and spaced stops disposed on opposite sides respectively of the suspended supporting member for limiting the movement or the abutment element in either direction from normal.

1. A conveyor system comprising a pivoted switch point movable in a substantially horizontal plane, spring means normally holding the switch point in predetermined position, a supporting member freely suspended to swing about a substantially hori- Zontal axis in a plane above the plane of movement of the switch point, a horizontal arm carried by the supporting member and terminating in an abutment shoulder lying substantially in the plane of the switch point and adapted to permit carriers to pass freely along the switch point when the latter in normal position but to arrest carriers so moving when the switch point is not in normal position, and a pair of depending stops for limiting swinging movement of the supporting member in either direction from normal.

16. A conveyer system having a pivoted switch point, and a stop device, the switch point being movable relatively to the stop device whereby to cause a carrier moving along the switch point to engage the stop device and thereby to be brought to rest, the normal position of the stop device remaining unchanged when the switch point is shifted.

1'1. A conveyer system having main and branch tracks, a pivoted switch point forming a continuation of the branch track, the end of said switch point normally engaging the main track but being movable away therefrom, and a stop device so positioned that when the switch point is moved away from the main track a carrier moving along said switch point will engage the stop device and thereby to be brought to rest, the stop device normally occupying the same position regardless of the position of the switch point.

18. A convey system having a plurality of tracks, a switch point forming a. continuation of one track, moans normally holding said switch point in engagement with the other track, and a stop device, the switch. point being movable away from said latter track and relatively to the stop device whereby to cause a carrier moving along the switch point to engage the stop device and thereby to be brought to rest, the stop device normally maintaining its position unchanged when the switch point is moved toward or away from the track.

Signed by me at Syracuse, N. Y., this sixteenth day of April, 1923.

FRANIQB. PEEBLES. 

